The Rise of Summer of Riesling

Check out the top ten Riesling and food pairings available at restaurants across the country participating in the popular varietal program.

By Shaun Pett

"If you drink Riesling, you will be a better person," says Manhattan restaurateur and sommelier Paul Grieco. This singular belief drove Grieco to take on New York City’s palate five years ago when he created Summer of Riesling—a program that celebrates the variety by solely offering Riesling by the glass for customers of his wine bar Terroir, beginning the first day of summer and ending on the last.

While radical, the decision was a success—so much so that since launching, the program has expanded beyond Grieco’s restaurants to include more than 200 participating establishments across the country. Last year, the Summer of Riesling program was adopted by restaurants in Australia and New Zealand, and this year, it has spread to the United Kingdom and Germany.

Here are ten Riesling pairings to order at participating restaurants before summer’s end.